Celtic 1 Dunfermline 0

BOS Premier League
Henrik Larsson (19) 1-0:

The small travelling support that walked along the London Road into Celtic Park were the faithful who believed that the Pars Glasgow hoodoo could be dispelled before the end of the year 2002. They were rewarded with a game in which their team showed considerable spirit and competitiveness against an opposition which, in the past, has regularly and unceremoniously dumped them and severely dented their goal difference. This late December fixture was a different story for once.

Yes, the Pars lost 1-0, but there were periods of this match in which Dunfermline had possession and attacked in ways which they had not shown for a number of years at Parkhead. In the last quarter the Fifers even caused the champions considerable concern. In the end, Martin O`Neill conceded that his team`s tenth game in 35 days had been "hard work for us".

Jimmy Calderwood made one change from the team that lost to Kilmarnock on Boxing Day with Scott Walker starting in place of Jason Dair. The probable starting formation had the assembled Press corps in great conjecture. All attempts to predict the Calderwood tactics failed as the Pars started with a back three of Skerla, Walker and Wilson, Stevie Crawford lying deep and Lee Bullen up front beside Craig Brewster.

Celtic had Johan Mjallby back for his first match in four months as they kicked off towards the east end. Dunfermline started well, immediately settling down and demonstrating the passing skills we know they possess. Neither keeper had much to do in the first five minutes and it was Hedman in the Celtic goal who was first called into action.

In the fifth minute a long ball bounced off the head of Bobo Balde for Lee Bullen to shoot but Hedman dealt with the threat, although required two attempts before gathering the ball. Celtic`s response three minutes later gave Derek Stillie his first save of the match when Alan Thompson shot straight at the keeper.

Celtic were showing little of their danger and form that had put them only one point behind Rangers in the SPL. Chris McGroarty showed great resolve in keeping the ball in play when Agathe had given up on it, but the youngsters cross from the left was too strong and nothing came of his good work.

The Pars best chance of the first half came in the 12th minute when a Scott Thomson ball was flicked on by Brewster to Crawford, who advanced on goal from the left and unleashed a good shot which Hedman was forced to turn round his right hand post.

A minute later, Crawford had another shot but this time over the crossbar after Balde and Mjallby cleared. Crawford was greatly involved in everything at this stage, the Scotland striker showing his considerable close control skills to retain much of the midfield play.

Celtic were not really threatening the Dunfermline defence which was breaking down all of the attempts by the home team to get into the Pars penalty box. It was a more direct route which paid dividends for Celtic in the 19th minute.

A long ball from Magnus Hedman was headed on from Hartson to Sutton and then on to Henrik LARSSON who received the ball deep in the penalty area and while running diagonally away from goal managed to slip in a shot from 8 yards which deceived both Skerla and Stillie. The ball trickled into the Pars net much to the delight of the 58,000 home support.

The goal ignited the Celtic drive and the supporters urged their team to increase their lead. Dunfermline sustained severe pressure for the next ten minutes. As Hartson and Larsson threatened, Skerla was forced to concede a corner which Thompson subsequently curled in and Scott Thomson headed over the cross bar for another corner on the opposite side.

Petrov took this one and sent the ball flashing across the six yard area where Scott Wilson skied away the ball and another corner resulted on the right. This time Stillie was out to punch the ball away.

There were desperate lunging tackles on the edge of the box as Celtic continued to press. Hartson tested Stillie after the Welshman had successfully chipped the ball over Walker`s shoulder to produce another shooting opportunity.

Having survived the onslaught, it was Chris McGroarty who relieved things with a drive up the left and then involving Nicholson, Thomson and Crawford before the Celtic defence could regain possession. Hedman was back in action when a Lee Bullen cross almost reached Brewster but the Swedish goalkeeper showed his international class to deny Dunfermline.

In the 32nd minute, Scott Walker swung over a ball into the penalty box which Valgaeren and Balde both went for leaving Brewster a left footed shot on the volley which Hedman easily collected.

Celtic reminded Dunfermline of their threat when a Thompson free kick 40 yards out was driven low through the defensive set up for Stillie to save with a fine dive to his right. Andrius Skerla, whilst pushing forward in the 38th minute, lost possession and the ball was swung out right to Didier Agathe and Walker was relieved to head behind when the Celtic No.17 delivered a dangerous cross.

The corner eventually landed with Petrov and his right footed ball into the area led to much appeal from the Celtic crowd as they felt Scott Walker had held down Johan Mjallby`s challenge. Referee Stuart Dougal saw nothing amiss and play switched to the other end.

Four minutes from half time Brewster was deep right to send Thomson up the wing to fire the ball across the penalty box. Crawford and Bullen were both there but failed to connect as the ball slipped out at the far post for a goal kick.

>Half time: Celtic 1 Dunfermline 0